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Ferguson College of Agriculture

Welcome

The Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology offers undergraduate Entomology majors three degree options that provide hands-on opportunities, interactive learning, and potential employment within the department, so you’ll be prepared with practical experience for nearly any entomological career. The department also offers graduate students two masters options and two doctoral options.

We have resources on our website for current and future students, people interested in our research on insects and plant diseases, and people interested in controlling pest insects and damaging plant diseases.

Departmental Information

Faculty & Staff

Meet our current and recent emeriti faculty and staff.

Alumni and Friends

Stay in touch with the department.

Plant Disease & Insect Diagnostics Lab

Get accurate diagnoses of plant diseases and insect pests and recommendations for their control.

Newsletters and News

Stay informed with department news.

Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics

A national hub of research and prioritization in plant and food-related microbial forensics and agricultural biosecurity.

About Entomology & Plant Pathology

What is Entomology?

Entomology is the discipline of insect science and is a biological science curriculum that uses insects as models to illustrate science concepts.

What does entomology involve?

Entomology involves everything from "outdoor" work in environmental issues (invasive species, emerging arthropod-borne disease), ecology, animal behavior, parasitology, insect-plant interactions to very "high tech" applications in biotechnology, molecular studies, forensics, and medical/veterinary entomology.

What is Plant Pathology?

Plant pathology is the study of the cause, forecast, spread, genetics, and management of plant diseases, and encompasses many if not all plants of economic importance including crops, trees, and horticultural/ornamental plants.

What does plant pathology involve?

Plant pathology uses knowledge, techniques, and expertise from a multitude of disciplines such as mycology, virology, bacteriology, nematology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, plant anatomy, plant physiology, genetics, microbial forensics, and epidemiology to study, understand, and manage plant diseases.

Entomology & Plant Pathology Announcements

2026 Zoetis Teaching Awards

July 21, 2026

Biddick, Scimeca earn 2026 Zoetis Teaching Awards

CVM Graduate Researchers Earn International Recognition at Radiation Research Society Meeting

July 16, 2026

Graduate researchers from Dr. Natarajan Aravindan's Molecular Radiation Oncology Laboratory in the Department of Physiological Sciences at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine will showcase their research at the 72nd Annual International Meeting of the Radiation Research Society, scheduled for Oct. 4-7 in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.

ORVSP Scholarship Winner - Aubry Hensley-Gollihare, class of 2026

July 15, 2026

Aubry Hensley-Gollihare, class of 2026, was part of the inaugural group of recipients to receive a scholarship through the Oklahoma Rural Veterinary Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Program.